During National Donate Life Month, we show our appreciation for our
fellow Americans who have saved lives by becoming organ, tissue, marrow,
and blood donors, and we honor the health care professionals,
researchers, and others involved in this life-saving work. I was
pleased today to meet with organ donors, medical professionals, and
organ recipients -- all of whom participated in a historic six-recipient
kidney transplant, in which six patients received new organs from six
unrelated living donors. This history-making medical event took place
three weeks ago at Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Transplant Center. These
people are all first-hand witnesses to the gift of life-or in this case,
"lives."

We are blessed to have a health care system that is the best in the
world and includes skilled medical professionals like those I met with
today. We are also blessed to be a Nation filled with generous and
compassionate people. The selflessness of those who are donors is an
inspiration.

Unfortunately, thousands of Americans are on waiting lists for an organ
or tissue transplant. I urge all Americans to make the decision to
donate. For information about becoming an organ and tissue donor go to
organdonor.gov. Talk to your family, talk to your friends, and
register. You can give a transforming gift of life.